Montesano’s grunge-metal maestros (the) Melvins are commonly known for their unique fusion of alternative genres, making them legends in the hierarchy of rock music. Returning to Birmingham after 2 years, this was an appearance that solidified exactly why they are such an influential act across the hardcore scene.
Redd Kross had the important role of psyching-up the crowd for the evening and they were perhaps one of the best support bands I’ve seen live. They explore a perfect blend of punk, glam and garage rock, mastering their style and sound since the early ’80s. Their hour-long slot included some of their iconic singles such as ‘Uglier ‘, ‘Lady In The Front Row’ and ‘Switchblade Sister’, as well as a cover of The Beatles’ ‘It Won’t Be Long’, plus an insight to their latest long-play self-titled vinyl record, with tracks ‘Stunt Queen’ and ‘Candy Coloured Catastrophe’. A delight to see live and a band who held absolute charisma from start-to-finish. From their fashion, execution and stage charm, this quartet were nothing short of entertaining with pure rock n roll character.
Bassist Steven McDonald put in a double-shift across the evening as he performed in both bands, and with his infectious smile and contagious energy, his unquestionable talent and efforts did not go unnoticed. As the lights dimmed and an image of Agnes Moorehead in her Bewitched Endora era emerged across the back screen, we heard the iconic distorted sound of ‘Working the Ditch’ erupt as Buzz Osbourne graced the stage. With double the drums, this was an exceptional performance that truly demonstrated how timeless the sound of (the) Melvins really is.
They of course played some of their anthems including ‘Your Blessened,’ ‘Honey Bucket’, ‘A History of Bad Men’ and ‘Revolve’ alongside other classics from their repertoire of the last 4 decades. Their signature distorted sound, chugging riffs, conflicting time signature combinations and bold presence displayed an endearing and fierce performance that certainly cemented a nostalgic moment for metal-grunge fans of generations.
On a side note, this was my first time experiencing XOYO and I couldn’t think of anywhere else within Birmingham that would have been a better fit for this dynamic duo of a line-up. With a capacity of 800, a rooftop terrace, a rustic feel and a multi-level layout, the atmosphere was a key component to the overall vibe and essence of the evening.
A night of metal-infused, sludge-chugged, punk-driven, grungy-goodness.
Their ‘Stop Your Whining Tour’ consisted of a short run of dates across the UK and continues across America for the rest of 2025.
Words by Charlotte Hooper
Photo Credit: Pete Key
